Who we are

Howard is a professional safari guide based in Kenya. Born and raised near Sydney, Australia, Howard first set foot in Africa at the age of 17, on a family safari. He was smitten with the wildlife, landscapes, and people, and after finishing university he returned to Kenya to become a professional guide. Howard has been guiding since 1994, originally leading adventurous trips that circumnavigated Lake Victoria through Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has been a partner at The Original Ker & Downey Safaris since 2001.

While he thoroughly enjoys “just being out in the bush” while on safari, Howard takes particular interest in the behavior and ecology of large carnivores, the great apes, insects, and reptiles. He is exceptionally knowledgeable about these taxa, as well as the Amboseli and Mara-Serengeti ecosystems. Howard has spent a considerable amount of time in the field with biologists, and enjoys helping children explore and learn while on safari – nature’s ultimate classroom. Howard is also deeply involved with conservation efforts in Kenya’s remaining wildlife areas: he is a founder and member of the Board of Trustees of the Kenya Wildlife Trust.

Howard lives on the edge of Nairobi with Stephanie, a wildlife biologist and science writer, and their two young children, Ollie and Halina. Howard is an avid rugby player and fan, and when he isn’t on safari in Africa he enjoys traveling to wilderness areas and historical sites around the world. A Founding Fellow of The Shackleton & Selous Society, a global society of the best leaders to the world’s wild places, Howard now connects his guests to the right people offering unparalleled journeys to special places outside of East Africa.

When a safari requires more than one vehicle, Howard works with additional top calibre guides such as Dave Simpson, Alan Binks, Kieran Barnard, Paolo Parazzi, and Sam Stogdale. The majority of the photos you see here were taken by Dave while on safaris with Howard and guests.

It takes a small army to organize and execute each safari, and our team takes great pride in their work. Wilfred Samoire manages the mobile camp and crew and Tom Maingi (aka Tom Cake) is the head chef. Solomon Ole Lenkaja, a Maasai elder from Amboseli, has been working with Howard as a driver, wildlife spotter, and community liaison for 15 years. Waiters, kitchen helpers, tent stewards, drivers, and additional spotters round out an exceptional group of people catering to guests in our mobile camp in Kenya.

THE EXPERIENCE AT A GLANCE

Here is a brief overview of the kind of experience you can expect on a safari with us, from the moment you arrive to when it is time to say goodbye until next time...